🪴Sustainability Policy

This policy was adopted on 30 August 2022 and is reviewed annually

Introduction

Our environmental sustainability policy outlines our intention to encourage and increase awareness of environmental responsibilities and implement practices that contribute to a sustainable future. Children are supported to become environmentally responsible and show respect for the environment. Environmentally sustainable practices are becoming embedded into the operations of Natural Nurture and involve educators, children and families in order to be successful.

Goals

Natural Nurture Nursery will ensure the environment is safe, clean and well-maintained. Children’s awareness of the environment will be promoted through daily practices, resources and interactions. Sustainable practices will be encouraged within the nursery. Staff, children and families will be encouraged to become advocates for a sustainable future.

Strategies

We promote a holistic, open-ended curriculum which explores ideas and practices for environmental sustainability and helps children understand the interdependence between people and the environment by:

• helping children to explore nature through art and play

• supporting children to experience the natural environment through natural materials like wood, stone, sand and recycled materials

• supporting the environment by learning how to grow and nurture plants in the nursery garden and discovering all about the food cycle by growing, harvesting, and cooking food for our nursery menu

• helping children to learn about water conservation, energy efficiency and waste reduction through play-based activities and adult interactions

• going on nature walks and learning about plants they see on the farm

• developing a recycling area and encouraging children to share recycling ethos into the home environment.

As a nursery we will embed sustainability into all aspects of the operations including:

• recycling materials for art and creative activities and encouraging parents/carers to bring in their recycling materials for the same use

• ensuring parents/carers recycle children’s take-home recycled material models, if they do not keep them

• considering our carbon footprint when purchasing materials

• shopping local where possible

• turning off equipment and lights when not in use

• using energy saving light bulbs

• not leaving any equipment on standby

• hanging washing out to dry/using clothes horses rather than tumble dryers where possible

• composting food waste

• incorporating water-wise strategies such as ensuring taps are turned off and leaks fixed

Natural Nurture already has the following in place;

• Is off grid and uses wind turbines and solar panels for electricity

• Where possible uses produce grown on the farm for lunches and snack reducing our carbon footprint

• Has compostable toilets

Ongoing Sustainability Practices in place are;

• We encourage staff, families and children to engage in innovative practices and appreciate the wonder of the natural world while protecting the planet for future generations.

• Staff make sustainable practices a part of the daily routine. These include but are not limited to: Recycling, Gardening, Energy conservation, Water conservation, Sustainable equipment purchases

• Recycling is part of everyday practice at Natural Nurture

• Recycling containers will be provided

• Staff role model sustainable practices

• Staff discuss sustainable practices with the children as part of the curriculum

• We share ideas between staff, children and families about sustainable ideas, implementation and resources. This is done through emails, FAMLY newsfeeds and conversations

• Staff role model energy and water conservation practices by

i) Turning off lights when an area is not in use. ii) Emptying water play containers onto garden areas, iii) Aiming to purchase equipment that is eco-friendly where possible. iv) Reducing the amount of plastic and disposable equipment purchased v) Select materials that are made of natural materials and fibres

• The concepts of ‘reduce, re-use and recycle’ will become part of everyday practice for both children and staff to build lifelong attitudes towards sustainable practices

• Children learn how to be kind to nature by helping to look after the farm animals and picking up any litter that is on the farm and putting into the recycling bins.

Working together with all our parents/carers and partners will help our environment to be more sustainable and make it a better place for our future generations to grow up in.